Union unites to upend Middlebury

Author: Dan Stevens

The sensational shooting of the Dutchwomen from Schenectady, N.Y. was too much for the women's basketball team, as Middlebury fell 73-57 to Union College in a non-conference match-up on Saturday, Dec. 1. In what was an intense meeting for the two teams, Union outshined the Panthers, netting 50 percent of their shots from the floor.

Middlebury co-captain Katie Fisher '08 noted the discrepancy in shooting percentages and its contribution to the loss.

"Union shot extremely well," said Fisher, "and we shot very poorly, a combination that certainly did not help us." Coming into Saturday's game, Middlebury as a team was shooting 46 percent, but Saturday's game was a different story. The shots fell anywhere but in, as the Panthers managed to tally only 34.8 percent of their field goals.

The Panthers looked competitive early as the score remained close throughout the first half. Middlebury continued to exert pressure as a large group of experienced players allowed the Panthers to keep a fresh five on the court.

"We have basically the same rotation as last year," said co-captain Lani Young '08, "which has aided in our success so far this season. All five starters are back, and our top two or three off the bench also saw significant time last year."

Although Middlebury used the strength of its bench to compete throughout the game, starter Aylie Baker '09 played only briefly as she, among others, racked up some early fouls.

"Aylie Baker playing only 16 minutes because of foul trouble was a big factor in the loss," said coach Noreen Pecsok. "I actually thought we matched up well with Union, and thought we had a chance to win until about the four minute mark."

Indeed, the Panthers continued to cut into the lead, but Union held on and never relinquished control after finishing the first half on a 9-2 run. Initially, the second half was all Union as well, with the Dutchwomen extending their lead from the beginning. But Middlebury's point guard Emily Johnson '09 led a positive, although eventually futile, comeback.

On an alley-oop to Katie Fisher, the Panthers brought the lead to within five points making the score 53-48. With eight minutes left to play in the second half, and Middlebury rolling, Dutchwomen coach Mary Ellen Burt called a time-out and successfully squashed any Middlebury chance at revival.

After the time-out, Union went on a 8-0 run to put the game out of reach for the Panthers. Middlebury would make several more runs but never really came close to suffering its first loss on the season 73-57. The loss marks the fourth time in five years that Middlebury has lost to Union.

Still, even in aftermath of a difficult defeat, several Panthers took note of the persistence the team displayed as it continued to fight up to the end.

"I was very impressed with how we kept getting after it," said Young. "Coach talked about it in the locker room, but our team is very different from past years in the way we continued to fight and work right up to the last minute. I think everyone is disappointed about the loss, but we also recognize we played a very good team. We had a bad shooting night and still were able to compete."

Despite being on the bench for more than half of the game, Baker led the team in scoring with 14 points. Ashley Barron '09 followed with 11 points of her own.

The Panthers were also markedly out-rebounded grabbing just 28 boards compared to 47 for Union.

"The first loss is always tough," said Fisher, "but we learned how heavily we have come to rely on our outside shooting and even more importantly, how disproportionate rebounding can ruin our chances at a win."

The Panthers will look to bounce back on Thursday Dec. 6. when they head to Poultney, VT for a nighttime tilt against the 4-2 Green Mountain College Eagles. Last year the Panthers handled the Eagles easily, holding the Eagles to just over thirty-percent shooting from the field on the way to a 68-30 victory.

Middlebury returns to Pepin Saturday Dec. 8. at 1 p.m. to square off against the Smith College Pioneers.